Although Russia and Georgia have agreed to adopt the EU peace plan, the
implementation of truce in Caucasus seems to be difficult. While the
Russian troops were expected to be withdrawn from Gori, a spokesman of
the Georgian Interior Ministry stated that the Russian forces "are
destroying" the city. As per the AFP, strong blasts have been just
heard and thick smoke covered Gori, while Russian troops are heading to
Poti port and a military base in the area, something which Russia has
rejected. Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev invited France
to encourage Tbilisi to sign a binding agreement, not allowing it to
attack its provinces, which wish to become autonomous. Meanwhile, the
Russian Prosecutor has reported that it will begin an investigation on
genocide, following Georgian military operations in South Ossetia. At
the same time, the Georgian Ambassador to the UN is accusing the
Russians of "inhumane abusiveness." Besides, it has been announced that
a 78-year-old expatriate Hellene has been killed in Tshinvali during
the clashes in South Ossetia.

Moscow Says its Forces not in Poti

A spokesman of the Georgian Interior Ministry reported that the Russian
forces "are destroying" Gori near South Ossetia and Poti port in the
Black Sea. He added that blasts are being heard and the city planted
with mines. Furthermore, he argued that the Russians are destroying new
roads constructed in western Georgia.

Although Russia has rejected that its forces are in Poti, eyewitnesses
stated that Russian tanks enter the city. In reply, Deputy Chief of the
Russian General Staff Anatoli Nagovitsin stated that there are neither
Russian tanks nor troops in Poti.

Meanwhile, Europeasn envoys, accompanied by a Georgian official have
not managed to arrive in Gori, as the Russian army forbade them to do
so. However, the mission described the situation calm.

Tension between the US and Russia

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is to meet with EU
President Nicolas Sarkozy to brief him on his contacts with Moscow,
stressed that if Russia is indeed violating the ceasefire, then it may
find itself isolated. Ms Rice is on her way to Tbilisi to meet with
President Michael Saakashvili.

Meanwhile, despite Mr Saakashvilis relevant statements, the US
announced that it does not plan to take under its control Georgias
ports and airports, within the framework of its peace initiative. In
parallel, the Kremlin has called on Washington to decide whether it
will support Georgia or honor a real relationship between partners with
Moscow. At the same time, Russian President Dmitri Medvenev has called
on France to encourage the Georgian government to sign a binding
agreement, forbidding any attacks against South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Earlier, the Russian President had met with the leaders of S. Ossetia
and Abkhazia in the Kremlin to sign a six-point French plan that will
allow the end of hostilities. Mr Medvedev stated Russia would support
South Ossetia and Abkhazias decision, promising to guarantee for them
on the Caucasus and all over the world.

Besides, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a Press Conference
in Moscow that Georgias territorial integrity is de facto limited,
adding that the issue can only be resolved in mutually accepted ways.

In a telephone conversation with his US counterpart, Mr Lavrov rejected
the reasons why Russia is violating the truce in Georgia and the fact
that it is not respecting the principles included in the agreement for
the resolution of the crisis.

On Wednesday, the EU Foreign Ministers decided at an extraordinary
meeting to sent observers immediately to monitor the fragile truce.
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated that the objective is the
end of ceasefire and operations, the return to the prior state and the
commencing of a dialogue.

Finally, the Georgian ambassador to the UN accused the Russian soldiers
of inhumane brutality, adding that humanitarian organizations did not
have access to territories controlled by the Russian armed forces. He
also accused the Russians of attacking indiscreetly Georgian civilians
and infrastructures.

Humanitarian Aid

The US is sending humanitarian aide to Georgia. Two aircrafts have
transferred tents, sleeping bags, blankets and medicines to Tbilisi.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that a 78-year-old expatriate Hellene,
named Ivan Michailidis has been killed in Tshinvali during the clashes
in South Ossetia. His three-member family remains in the area.

Until now, 25 refugees, including expatriate Hellenes have arrived in
Vladikavkas

The Greek ambassador to Novorossisk, who has been in Vladikavkas since
the first day of the crisis is in contact with expatriate Hellenes and
the president of the local Greek community and local authorities to
help them with their problems.

The Greek government has decided to offer the members of the above
families extraordinary financial aid.

UN envoy Matthew Nimetz, who will visit Skopje and Athens next week,
has announced a new round of talks on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia) name issue. Prior to his meeting with the Greek
negotiator Adamantios Vassilakis on Wednesday, Mr Nimetz told Skopje
reporters that the negotiations would focus on the name-issue, as
designated by the interim agreement and the relevant Security Council
resolution.

At the same time, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reiterated
the USs fixed position that the FYROM name-issue should not constitute
an obstacle to FYROMs entry to NATO.

Meanwhile, in a radio interview, PASOK cadre A. Loverdos expressed his
concern over the fact that Mr Nimetz had not stated clearly that there
is only issue open to be discussed, which is the FYROM name-issue and
nothing else. "Mr Nimetz described the name-issue the central issue to
be discussed and not the sole issue for discussions," said Mr
Loverdos.

Finally, as per Dvenvik newspaper in Skopje, FYROM citizens who are
coming to Greece for their holidays are undergoing thorough checks from
FYROMs customs authorities.

Accepting the proposal of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE),
Development Minister Christos Folias and Economy Minister George
Alogoskoufis have decided to impose ceiling prices on fuel in the
Dodecanese, Heraklion, Corfu, Kefallinia, Cyclades, Lasithi, Lesvos,
Lefkada, Rethymno, Chania and Chios. The measure will be introduced in
an attempt to further deescalate fuel prices.

As per the ministerial decision, ceiling prices will go into force as
of today until 31 August. Prices of petrol in islands with at least
three petrol stations will be selling unleaded oil at 1.247 euros per
litre, super unleaded oil at 1.443 euros per litre, super leaded at
1.327 euros per litre and diesel oil at 1.373 euros per litre. Prices
of petrol in islands with at least two petrol stations will be selling
unleaded oil at 1.257 euros per litre, super unleaded at 1.453 euros
per litre, super leaded at 1.337 euros per litre and diesel oil at
1.383 euros per litre.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has arrived in Constantinople
today to hold talks with Turkish officials on Irans nuclear programme
and bilateral relations reported the Anadolu news agency. Talks will
also focus on the fight against Kurd autonomists and Turkeys
cooperation with Iran in the energy sector.

Later today, the Iranian leaders will meet with Turkish President
Abdullah Gul. On Friday, he will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayeep
Erdogan, before ending his first visit to a NATO member-state.

As source from the Turkish PMs office reported that Mr Ahmadinejads
visit to Turkey may not result in the signing of the expected
agreements on oil and natural gas, following the Iranian sides fresh
requests.

In July, Turkey and Iran signed a preliminary agreement to export
Iranian natural gas to Europe through Turkey. It has been estimated
that Turkey will be producing 20.4 billion cubic metres of natural gas
in Irans southern Pars.

Turkeys investment for the production of natural gas in Iran has been
estimated to about 3.5 billion dollars. The USA has expressed its
objection to the agreement.

Syria and Lebanon have announced the setting up of a joint committee
that will mark the borders between the two countries, one of the thorny
issues raised in Damascus by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman

In a joint announcement made public after the Lebanese Presidents first
visit since 2005, the two countries report that they have decided to
"re-activate" a joint committee that will investigate the issue people
who have vanished in both countries.

However, Syria has announced today that the Shebaa Farms borders,
occupied by Israel will not be marked before the Jewish state withdraws
from the area.

Israel regards Shebaa Farms, which it has been occupying since 1967,
part of the Golan Heights, while Syria and Lebanon regard them
Lebanese.

The fire that broke out 12:15 on a hill at Lygourio, Argolida is still
burning dried grassland, without however threatening inhabited areas.
15 fire-engines with 30 firemen are aided by five fire-fighting planes
and one water-dropping helicopter are trying to contain the fire.

As per the General Secretariat of Political Protection, Athens, Eastern
Attica, Evia, the Cyclades and Samos are running a high risk for fires
to break out there.

Thus, people should abstain from outdoor works that might cause fire
and see that they do not throw away their lit cigarettes. In case of
fire, they should call 199.

A 41 years old man injured his wife after a fight they had in Arnissa
of Pella prefecture. The man also attacked and injured his 75 years old
father who was transferred to Arnissa Health Center where he received
first aid. The man and wife often quarreled and their relationship was
turbulent. The 23 years old woman beard multiple injuries by hunting
knife in her stomach, back and limbs. She was transferred to the
General Hospital of Edessa and was submitted to surgery. According to
her treating doctors, her health condition is stable. Police is
conducting preliminary investigation on the incident and the murderer
is expected to be indicted for attempt of murder.

The inhabitants Coordination Committee in Lefkimmi, Corfu is staging a
fresh rally on Saturday evening against the creation of a landfill in
the area, requesting in parallel the removal of MAT (Riot Police)
police forces. Meanwhile, the trial of the two individuals, who were
held responsible for last Saturdays incidents, was postponed for 8
January. The President of the court postponed the trial as the four
witnesses for the prosecution did not attend the trial on the excuse
that they were on duty.

Serbias Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said that his countrys key goal is
to request the International Criminal Court examine the legitimacy of
the unilateral declaration of Kosovos independence and halt the
recognition procedure, so that the two sides can resume talks. Asked
whether the Georgian standoff could be linked to the Kosovo issue, he
said that Serbia views unilateral declaration of independence as a
risky precedent worldwide.

The Serbian Foreign Minister argued that the situation in the Caucasus
proved how dangerous a military intervention could be, further
stressing that Serbia had always been after a permanent solution.

Jeremic is due in the USA, where the UN General Assembly is to request
the International Criminal Court to examine the Serbian claim.

Kosovos President Fatmir Sejdiu, on the other hand, said that he was
not concerned over the statements of the Serbian officials with regard
to the recognition of Kosovos independence. Sejdiu underlined that the
recognition process cannot be affected by Serbia.

Sandy Allen, named the worlds tallest woman (3.31metres) in 1975 by the
Guinness World Records book has died today at the age of 53 at an old
peoples home in Shelbyville, Indiana, the local newspapers have
reported. The cause of her death is not known. However, Allen was
suffering from kidney and blood infections. At the age of 10 she was
1.90 tall. Many believe that her extraordinary height is due to an
operation for the removal of a tumor when she was young.

Koutroumanidou Efthalia and Tsiartsiani Maria were defeated by German
Goller Shara and Ludwig Laura 2-0 (24-22, 21-12) in womens beach
volleyball in a match taking place under difficult weather conditions.
However they made it to the last "16" of the competition as one of the
best three teams of the competition. The Greek team will face
Australian Natalie Cook and Tamsin Barnett. The date of the game has
not been set yet as the timetable is formed due to broadcasting
reasons- according to the Chinese teams.

Koutroumanidous Statements

Efthalia Koutroumanidou: "Our performance was bad. We made many
mistakes and our opponents fairly reached victory. We must not repeat
such a performance in the next phase. The weather was bad and hardened
our efforts".

In the first round of womens beach volley Karantasiou-Arvaniti were
defeated by Brazilian Talita-Renata 2-0 set (22-20, 21-19) and are
disqualified as they occupied the last placed in group D of the
competition.

The chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, Bill Gwatney, died in a
hospital after being shot by a lone gunman at the partys headquarters
in Little Rock, officials said on Wednesday. His unidentified killer
also died after a high-speed chase and exchange of gunfire with police.
The motive for the shooting remained unknown.

"Arkansas has lost a great son, and I have lost a great friend. There
is deep pain in Arkansas tonight," Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, a
Democrat, said in a statement.

Gwatney, 48, was a former state Senator and his shooting shocked the
southern state and the Democratic Party establishment. As a state party
chairman, he would have also been a "superdelegate" at the partys
national convention in Denver later this month.

Local media reports said the gunman had fired three shots in Gwatneys
office before fleeing the scene.

The ceasefire agreement achieved in the Caucasus remains shaky. Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev has urged Russia, which is mediating in the
conflict, to encourage Tbilisi to sign a binding agreement. While NATO
has been scheduled to hold an emergency session on coming Tuesday, the
Washington-Moscow relations are to be seriously tested. US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice is due in Paris and Tbilisi to have talks on the
crisis in the Caucasus. Washington has called on Russia to fully
observe the truce pact. In the meantime, a spokesman of the Georgian
Interior Minister said that the Russian forces had not pulled out of
Gori, central Georgia. They kept saying they would leave the city, but
they changed their mind, said he, further adding that the Georgian
forces stayed off Gori to avoid clashing with the Russians. He had
earlier announced that the Russians had started withdrawing their
troops from Gori and that Georgias police and armed forces would
gradual take over.

Russian forces have returned to the Georgian port of Poti and raised
troop numbers in Gori despite a ceasefire, a spokeswoman for Georgias
foreign ministry said on Thursday. "Despite the previously reached
agreement, Russians are deploying additional forces in Gori and
fortifying the city. At the same time, Russian armed forces have
returned to Poti," spokeswoman Nato Chikovani told AFP.

Kremlin called on Washington to choose between partnership with Moscow
or the Georgian leadership, stressing that were Georgia to earn a NATO
membership, that would put the Alliance to the test. In the meantime,
urged by the USA, NATO barred a Russian ship from joining a
multi-national anti-terrorism patrol in the Mediterranean, in
retaliation for Moscows military operations in Georgia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged France, which is mediating in
the conflict, to encourage Tbilisi to sign a binding agreement not to
wage attacks on its separatists region, said Kremlin on Thursday.

Medvedev had a telephone conversation late on Wednesday with his French
counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, who contributed to the wording of the key
points of the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia in South
Ossetia, continued Kremlin.

In the meantime, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice departed early
on Thursday morning (Greek local time) for Paris and Tbilisi, where she
is to hold talks with French and Georgian top-ranking government
officials on the conflict in South Ossetia and the crisis in Abkhazia.

US President George W. Bush demanded Wednesday the immediate Russian
withdrawal from Georgia.

"Observing the ceasefire is what matters," stressed Wednesday Greek
Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who attended the informal Summit of
the 27 EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

Investigation into Genocide Accusations

Russian judicial authorities have started investigating accusations
speaking of genocide in South Ossetia, after being tipped off actions
against the Russian citizens living in South Ossetia. Special
investigators have already been sent to the breakaway province to
collect information.

Russia has also requested the Georgians accused of genocide in South
Ossetia be brought to a trial at an international tribunal.

Estimates on human losses during the fighting are contradictory.
Authorities in Russia and the Ossetian separatists speak of 1500
deaths, without citing their sources. According to the Russian army, 74
have been killed, 171 have sustained injuries and 19 have been reported
missing. Georgia, on the other side, has said that death toll amounts
to 175.